MV Agusta continues to broaden its Brutale line, debuting the MV Agusta Brutale RR 1090 today for the 2011 EICMA show. The pinnacle of the company’s naked bike offering, the Brutale RR 1090 comes packed with 156hp from its 1,078cc inline-four motor. Though we might take issue with MV Agusta’s statement that the “Brutale RR 1090 is the most important addition to the new Brutale 2012 line-up,” as the stylish and more affordable MV Agusta Brutale 675 deserves that title more, the addition of the Brutale RR 1090 helps make more sense out of MV’s naked bike line-up, while offering an impressive package to Italian motorcycle lovers.

Designed with new camshafts, new intakes, and new throttle bodies, the 2012 MV Agusta Brutale RR 1090 benefits from the addition of a slipper clutch, eight-position traction control, and re-vamped engine mapping. Couple that to the 156 peak pony power @ 11,900 rpm, and the 183kg (403 lbs) big boy Brutale should give the Ducati Streetfighter 1098 S a run for its money in the premium street-naked segment.

Helping sweeten the deal are 50mm Marzocchi forks that have a DLC coating, while rear suspension duties are handled by a Sachs unit that features high and low speed compression dampening along with rebound and spring pre-load adjustment. Stopping power comes courtesy from the MV Agusta Brutale RR 1090’s Brembo monoblock calipers and 320mm rotors. Mated to forged aluminum wheels, the Brutale RR 1090 sheds 2 lbs in unsprung weight when compared to the standard cast wheels.

Available in three color choices, European pricing has been set at €18,800 MSRP, which makes the 2012 MV Agusta Brutale RR 1090 one expensive toy. However there is method to the madness, as MV Agusta has priced the Brutale RR 1090 under the € 19,146 price tag of the Ducati Streetfighter S, which should make things interesting.

Love the looks – and once these things feature a Bosch sports-ABS (as e.g. KTM SMR 990T or the BMW S1000RR do), I will reconsider my decision to never again own an inline four. 156 hp in less than 210 kg package should be interesting.

(Is it just me or does the blue-white-red-colour option scream out “Honda” ? Tasty though. The red and the black one work for me all the time.)